Distin set for Everton farewell

Roberto Martinez has confirmed defender Sylvain Distin could make a farewell appearance for the club against Tottenham at Goodison Park on Sunday.

The 37-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and is certain to bring the curtain down on his six-year Everton career.

The Frenchman hasn't played since January 6, partly due to injury as well as the form of John Stones and Phil Jagielka. There have also been rumours of a disagreement between Distin and Martinez, leading to him being frozen out of the side.

Distin was asked to stay away from the training ground earlier in the season following a similar bust-up and he has promised to reveal "the truth" on the issue when he officially leaves the club in the summer.

It is a shame that Distin's career will end in such acrimonious circumstances. He has surpassed expectations since joining from Portsmouth in 2009 with Everton still reeling from the protracted departure of Joleon Lescott to Manchester City.

He was the modicum of consistency despite his advancing years, with only a few shaky performances at the start of this season suggesting time was finally catching up with him.

Reports this week suggested Martinez had been asked by senior players to give Distin his farewell, with supporters also keen to thank the former Newcastle and PSG defender for his service to the club that has seen him play more than 200 games in all competitions.

That now looks likely to happen, with Martinez confirming in his pre-Tottenham press conference that Distin will be included in the match-day squad.

"Sylvain has had a bit of an illness in the last two or three days so we are going to assess him today and if he is available for selection he will have the opportunity at the weekend to say his farewell to the fans.

"It is easy to see what a great servant he has been to the football club and he deserves the opportunity of giving his final farewell if the game allows it against Spurs."